McCurdy wins morning match; plays again this afternoon

BY ANDRES FOCIL

FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas junior Amanda McCurdy continues to play well winning her second flight of match play six-and-five at the 105th U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship in Roswell, Ga., Thursday. "Amanda played solidly," said Arkansas head coach Kelley Hester, who is in the gallery. "Her opponent struggled a bit so it really didn’t take Amanda’s best golf to win. Amanda only missed one green did what she had to and closed out early. That’s a benefit for the long day ahead." McCurdy, an El Dorado, Ark., native allowed opponent Amy Schmucker of Cold Spring, Minn., to stay square through the first two holes at Settlindown Creek Golf Course before making her move on the third hole. McCurdy birdied three going one up, went up two on the fifth and up four on the sixth after back-to-back bogeys by Schmucker. One of Arkansas’ career-best golfers, McCurdy extended her lead to four on the seventh carding a two on the par three and went five up on the eighth with a par while Schmucker again bogeyed. McCurdy put the match away on the 13th hole going six up with five holes to play in one of the largest margins of victory in the 32-player field. Nannette Hill also won big going nine up with eight to play in the morning round. McCurdy’s week began Monday when she opened stroke play with a first round four-over 76. She bettered that mark considerably with a three-under 69 on Tuesday finishing in a tie for 10th and making the field of 64. McCurdy defeated Marlowe Boukis four-and-three on Wednesday to stay alive in the bracket play. Her win over Schmucker sees McCurdy move on to face the winner of the Jennie Lee/Eun Jung Lee match later this afternoon as match play continues. The Lady Razorback senior-to-be has traditionally played well in match play conditions, reaching the finals of this event last year. McCurdy found herself down three late in the match but made a big comeback and had a chance to tie on the 18th hole. The runner-up finish earned McCurdy an entry into the U.S. Women’s Open in Cherry Hills, Colo., where she finished tied for 38th overall. Tune in and catch McCurdy’s play on The Golf Channel this week. The Golf Channel will air match-play round from 3:00-5:00 p.m., Central. For more information about Arkansas golf log on to LADYBACKS.COM.